We just wrapped up a major milestone: the first official road trip in our Cybertruck. We headed out to Las Vegas to celebrate a friend’s birthday and put the truck’s range, storage, and utility to the ultimate real-world test.
While the truck performed admirably, the stay in Vegas was a bit of a technical nightmare. Between charging quirks in the desert and some major room issues at the MGM Grand, this was a trip I won’t soon forget. Here is the technical breakdown of the drive and the “Karen-mode” reality of our hotel experience.
The Drive: Real-World Efficiency Data
We left the house with 81% state of charge (SoC). One of my immediate gripes with the Cybertruck—or so I thought—was the lack of interior hooks for jackets or bags. I actually ended up wrapping my gear in garbage bags!
- The “Duh” Moment: I found the hidden hook right next to the interior light after the trip. Well played, Tesla.
Leg 1: Barstow & Jerky
We hit Barstow after 72 miles. Our efficiency was sitting at 459 Wh/mi. It was a relatively calm day with only 5 mph winds, but the Cybertruck definitely “drinks” electricity compared to the Model X or Model Y. We stopped at the iconic EddieWorld for beef jerky and faced some supercharger issues—it took three different stalls to finally initiate a charge. Pro Tip: Always verify the charge has started in your app before walking away!
Leg 2: Primm & Charging Curves
We arrived at Prim with 26% SoC after 189 total miles.
- The Tech Win: At 29% SoC, the Cybertruck was still pulling 256 kW at a V3 Supercharger. For context, our Model X Plaid would have already tapered down significantly by that point. The Cybertruck’s improved charging curve is a massive advantage for long-distance travel.
The MGM Grand “Disaster”
We checked into the MGM Grand, and while the renovated rooms looked nice, the technical failures were staggering:
- Dead Outlets: Multiple outlets in the room were dead. Maintenance came in with a tester that “beeped” (indicating power), but nothing would actually charge.
- Burned Sockets: The bathroom outlet was physically burned out.
- No Hot Water: It took 15 minutes for the shower water to even get lukewarm.
- The “Do Not Disturb” Mystery: Management claimed they couldn’t fix the room because of a DND sign that we never put up.
We eventually got moved to a working room, but it was a frustrating reminder that “luxury” hotels often struggle with basic maintenance.
Bed Utility: Making “Cyber-Coffee”
The highlight of the return trip was the utility of the vault. Since there was no Starbucks near the Baker Supercharger, my buddy Chichay and I used the built-in 120V bed outlets to run an electric kettle.
- The Load: We pulled about 1.1 kW to heat water for instant coffee and tea while the truck was charging. This is where the Cybertruck truly shines over the Model X—it’s a mobile power station.
The Final Numbers: Efficiency Breakdown
We drove a total of 475 miles round trip. For those comparing this to the Model X Plaid or Rivian R1T, here is the data:
| Metric | Cybertruck Trip Stats |
| Total Distance | 475 Miles |
| Total Energy Used | 223 kWh |
| Average Efficiency | 469 Wh/mi |
| Max Charging Speed | 256 kW |
| Vegas Phantom Drain | ~5-8% (Overnight with Sentry Mode) |
Comparison Note: My Model X usually stays well under 400 Wh/mi on this same route. The Cybertruck is less efficient but offers significantly more storage and the unmatched utility of those bed outlets.
Final Thoughts
Despite being sick (battling some asthma and an infection), the Cybertruck made the trip enjoyable. It feels very similar to the Model X in terms of ride quality, though the X is slightly quieter. However, the ability to throw everything in the bed without playing “luggage tetris” makes the Cybertruck the clear winner for our future family road trips.
